Livestock

The livestock sector can quite rightly be called the country’s hidden secret. Pakistan has 3rd largest livestock population and livestock and poultry sectors contributed 11.9% to GDP in FY 2012-13. Meat demand in Pakistan is growing at approx. 6% per annum, while poultry alone contributes about 20% towards the total meat production.

Livestock is a rising sector as its contribution to the national economy is growing continuously. Apart from this livestock is an active employer of thousands of landless poor, subsistence and semi- subsistence small farmer families. In short, livestock and its products are directly linked to the economy of small and medium-sized farmers. It is a major source of active food and adds significantly to the health, nutrition, and wellbeing of rural as well as urban consumers. Despite the rising and critical importance of the sub-sector, there is no corresponding emphasis on analyzing its achievements, problems, as well as future prospects in the overall developmental plans. In a country like Pakistan, data regarding livestock is not readily available and is mostly scattered. Livestock and Dairy Development Department, Punjab is rendering different services to the Livestock sector of the province through its infrastructure network in the field. In this report, an effort has been made to compile and present the performance of different Directorates of the Department during the year 2012-2013. A report, such as this, can serve as a useful reference and hopefully will be used by planners, advisors, extensionists, and Researchers working for the livestock sector.

In addition to the efforts being done at government level, more emphasis is required to promote the Livestock Sector on a market-oriented and demand have driven basis both in the public and private sectors for socio-economic uplift of the rural masses to achieve the ultimate goal of poverty alleviation.

Despite being 4th largest milk producer globally and an average annual milk demand growth of 20%, only 3-4% of milk is processed in Pakistan. Significant potential for setting up processing units for local consumption and export exists.

With 3rd largest livestock population, the average yield of milk per animal is one of the lowest in the world. Opportunity for investment in breed improvement, animal husbandry, veterinary medicines.

Meat demand in Pakistan is growing at 6% per annum and traditional fattening techniques are outdated. Fattening farms with modern techniques are an area of investment. Likewise, abattoirs, meat processing units, halal meat export etc.. represent significant growth potential.

The first Investment Policy by Board of Investment (BOI) was given in 1997 which opened services, social, infrastructure and agriculture sectors for foreign and local investors. It was a major step forward for integration of Pakistan’s economy into international markets as prior to this policy; foreign investment was restricted to manufacturing sector only. The 1997 Policy laid a solid foundation for the gains in FDI inflows experienced over the subsequent decade.

Foreign Direct Investment in Pakistan increased by 2761.10 USD Million in 2016. Foreign Direct Investment in Pakistan averaged 2651.26 USD Million from 2010 until 2016, reaching an all time high of 3184.30 USD Million in 2010 and a record low of 2099.10 USD Million in 2012.